Tuning the Equilibrium Response Time of Meta-Stable Photoacids in Ion-Sensors by Appropriate Functionalization

Herein, we present different functionalized meta-stable photoacids in ion-sensors to tune the equilibrium response time. As a proof of concept, two new meta-stable photoacids were synthesized, one contains an ether group and the other has an ester functional group. These functionalized meta-stable photoacids were elucidated in solution of ethanol and in ion-sensing films via pH and kinetic studies. In comparison from our previous work, the response time was reduced from hours to minutes by utilizing an ether functional group in the meta-stable photoacid.